Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday that the evacuation of settlements outlined in his disengagement plan would be completed by the end of next year, Israel Radio reported.

Sharon made these comments to the panel during a question and answer session on his disengagement plan.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops early Wednesday shot dead two Palestinian fighters armed with rifles, rocket propelled grenades and an RPG launcher as they approached a border checkpoint between Israel and the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Israeli army stated.

The incident took place near a road to the Netzarim settlement. The army said the Palestinians planned to attck s settler bus.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces entered Ramallah, the city where Palestinian president Yasser Arafat has been confined to his office for more than two years. Israeli military officials said the operation was "routine" and had nothing to do with Arafat. The troops later withdrew. (Albawaba.com)